Yorkshire's Anthony McGrath has announced his immediate retirement from all forms of cricket.

The 37-year-old former England batsman, who made his first-class debut in 1995 and represented Yorkshire in 257 first-class matches and 296 List A games, has been forced to retire due to a thumb injury sustained last season.

He scored 35 first-class centuries, with a highest score of 211 against Warwickshire at Edgbaston in 2009. The Bradford-born right-hander, who also took 134 first-class wickets at 35, played four Tests and 14 one-day internationals for England.

McGrath said: "It has been an honour and a privilege to have represented Yorkshire throughout my professional career.

"I have been involved with this great club every summer since I was 12 and it is going to be difficult not having the opportunity to play again."

Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale paid tribute to McGrath's influence in the dressing room. He said: "I learned a great deal from playing alongside Mags. He was a great player, who had the ability to score important innings at crucial times in matches.

"The biggest thing I will miss will be his presence in the dressing room. He was a great pro, who had an infectious personality that always brought the best out of the other players in the team."